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Understanding Teen Anger: Roots Mental Health, and Seeking Help Enjoy the 1st part of our GT Exclusive 4-part series on Teen Anger! Written By : Daniel Currie Published On : 2/12/2024 Have you ever felt like you're navigating the stormy seas of adolescence with a map that keeps changing? You're not alone. Anger, a frequent companion during these tumultuous years, often leaves us scratching our heads and wondering: Is it just a phase, or is there something deeper stirring beneath the surface? Table of Contents ►Root Causes of Teen Anger ►When Anger Masks Mental Health Issues ►In Doubt? Reach Out! Seeking Professional Help ►Knowing When to Seek Help is a Cornerstone of Navigating Teen Anger ►Environmental Pressures and Social Media ►Conclusion Blog Focus: Behavior & Mental Health Read Time: 5 minutes Relativity Rating: Adolecence What's this? Root Causes of Teen Anger Teen anger is a complex tapestry woven from various threads, each contributing to the emotional whirlwind of adolescence. Biological Factors. The hormonal surges of testosterone and estrogen can significantly amplify emotions, making teens feel like they're riding an emotional seesaw. It's a biological roller coaster with real emotional highs and lows. Psycological Growth. With the teenage brain still under construction, particularly the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for managing impulse control and empathy, this developmental phase is ripe for conflicts. Teens strive for independence, often feeling misunderstood or stifled, leading to frustration. "It's not just hormones causing the chaos; it's the brain's construction zone that's contributing to the turmoil," explains Dr. John Ratey, emphasizing the complexity of teen development. Environmental Pressures. Navigating today's digital labyrinth presents unique challenges that previous generations never faced. Social media can significantly distort self-image and amplify peer pressure. At the same time, academic and societal expectations continue to add weight to young shoulders. When Anger Masks Mental Health Issues Sometimes, the anger we see is just the tip of the iceberg, masking deeper mental health issues that need attention. Depression and Anxiety. For some teens, constant irritability might be a distress signal from the depths of depression or anxiety. For example, take Alex, a 16-year-old whose recent aggression was out of character. After seeking help, it was discovered he was grappling with severe anxiety, using anger as a shield against feelings of vulnerability. His journey through therapy was transformative, leading his mother to say, "It was like we got our son back. Therapy didn't just help him manage his anger; it gave him tools to tackle anxiety head-on." Behavioral Disorders. Conditions like Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often manifest through defiance, anger, or frustration. Maya, frequently in trouble at school for outbursts, was later found to have ADHD. With the right support, she began to thrive, illustrating the power of understanding and addressing the root causes of anger. In Doubt? Reach Out! Seeking Professional Help Initiating a conversation with your teen about their feelings is an excellent first step. Approach them with empathy, without judgment, and keep an open mind. Consulting a professional—a pediatrician, school counselor, or mental health specialist—is a brave and crucial step toward understanding and managing your teen's anger. "Reaching out for professional help...is a step toward healing," they can provide a comprehensive assessment and suggest therapy or counseling, equipping your teen with strategies to navigate their emotions effectively. Knowing When to Seek Help is a Cornerstone of Navigating Teen Anger Anger Disrupts Daily Life. When anger becomes more than just an occasional storm affecting your teen's daily activities, it's a red flag. Whether it's a noticeable decline in grades, like Jordan, who went from an honor student to receiving detention due to unaddressed anger, or social withdrawal, where teens like Kayla pull away from friends or activities they once enjoyed, these are signs it's time to dig deeper. Other Sypmtoms Accompany Anger. Anger rarely travels alone. Be observant of changes in sleep or eating habits, signs of substance abuse, or physical symptoms without a clear medical cause. These can be manifestations of stress and anger that signal the need for professional insight. Safety Becomes a Concern. Any evidence of self-harm, talk of suicide or violence, or destructive behavior is a clear and immediate call to action. "Teens often communicate distress through indirect signals," warns Dr. Karen Young, emphasizing the importance of taking these signs seriously. If you or your teen faces a medical emergency, feels endangered, or has thoughts of suicide, calling 911 is essential. For situations that are serious but not life-threatening, remember that support is always within reach. Don't hesitate to seek help. 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Line (United States) In the United States, including all 5 territories, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Line, formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can call, chat, or text 988 to connect with a professional who provides emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Canada Suicide Crisis Helpline In Canada, 988 was recently launched on November 30, 2023, providing Canadians the same call, chat, and text services by dialing 988 anywhere . Teen Hotlines For a comprehensive and complete list of hotlines broken up by topic, visit the teen health & wellness hotlines page. Environmental Pressures and Social Media The digital age has introduced unique challenges for today's teens. Engaging in open discussions about online experiences, setting healthy boundaries around digital device use, and encouraging offline activities are vital steps in mitigating the pressures of social media. "Setting digital boundaries is about more than just limiting screen time," it's about creating an environment where teens feel comfortable discussing their online experiences and understanding the impact of social media on their self-image and relationships. In Conclusion Understanding the roots of teen anger, from hormonal shifts to the impact of social media, lays the foundation for empathy and support. Recognizing when this anger might be a sign of deeper mental health issues is critical in providing the right support. "Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery," J.K. Rowling reminds us. As we continue our series, we'll explore strategies for empowering teens to manage their anger, fostering resilience, and nurturing healthy emotional growth. Stay tuned for our next post, where we'll dive into practical strategies to help your teen manage their anger effectively, turning turbulent waters into navigable streams, and transforming challenges into opportunities for growth and connection. Enjoy it? Spread the word and share it with the masses! Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link And don't forget to voice your thoughts and share your feedback below! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. Continue Reading Series! Empowering Teens to Manage Anger: Strategies and Tools Dive deeper into practical strategies and tools that empower teens to manage their anger, fostering emotional resilience and self-awareness for a balanced life. Read Article! 👉 Check out our 3-minute Mashups Up Mashup Home Up or bask in our full-length blogs! Up Our Library Up

Music and Parenting: Strengthening Teen Bonds Through Tunes Written By : Daniel Currie Published On : 3/11/2024 As we navigate the intricate dance of guiding our children through their formative years, the question arises: Should we dictate the soundtrack to their growth? In this exploration of "Music and Parenting: Strengthening Teen Bonds Through Tunes," I invite you to discover why the answer is a resounding NO, and how music serves as a bridge, not a barrier, between you and your child. Table of Contents ► Music: The Heartbeat of Parenting and Teen Connection ►Scientifically Proven ►Release Agent ►Not just Teens! Young Children and Toddlers, too! ►Communication in Music » How Do Musical Sounds Make You Feel? ►Music and Parenting: DO! » Exercies To Try at Home ►Creation and Self-Expression ►What If I Disapprove of the Music? ►A Radical Idea: Tune In, Not Out » Additional Exercise To Try at Home ►Music and Parenting: DON'T! ►Conclusion Blog Focus: Entertainment Read Time: 8 minutes Relativity Rating: Adolecence and Under What's this? Music: The Heartbeat of Parenting and Teen Connection Music transcends mere rhythm and melody—it's an all-encompassing force, capable of stirring the soul from the depths of turmoil to peaks of sheer ecstasy and serenity. It's this profound impact that makes music an essential, yet often underestimated, element in the complexities of parenting. Scientifically Proven It's been scientifically validated: music wields the power to transform our psychological landscape. Research reveals its ability to elevate mood, diminish stress, and conjure a sense of tranquility. The act of listening to music can lower cortisol levels, alleviate heart rate and blood pressure, and trigger the release of endorphins, offering a natural high that nurtures both body and soul. "Music has also been found to reduce cortisol levels, help with sleep, reduce depression, and even reduce burnout," according to Penn Medicine . It has become clear that music isn't just sound; it's a balm for the psyche, a release valve for the pressures of life. Release Agent Another vital benefit is that music can help validate your child's current emotional state and provide a healthy outlet for expression. As a result, it becomes an excellent tool for parents to help their children understand how to regulate their emotions in a healthy, proper way. In addition, this can create a safe space where children and teens can explore and express their feelings without judgment or fear. Finally, even when all else fails, a good tune can be used as a tool or outlet to distract, calm down, and relax. Not Just Teens! Young Children and Toddlers, too! Music is a superb tool that can be utilized to calm babies and toddlers- and relaxing music can also bring peace and tranquility to busy and stressed parents. On the flip side, music can also create a stimulating environment to nurture the growth and development of a child. Additionally, parents may use music to bring joy to the family and create an atmosphere of celebration. Communication in Music Beyond the soothing power and tranquil environment music can provide, it is an excellent method for young children to help experience and understand various emotions and feelings. Many people will go as far as to state that music is a type of sub-language to communicate. Rhythms and tunes allow for emotional communication, a shared connection that you can explore with each other. Stories have moved me from parents who, by embracing their teen's musical tastes, found a unique pathway into their hearts. For example, my good buddy, Mark, has always had this repulsion for rap simply because he couldn't understand what they were saying. His kid, Lucas, immersed himself in it. My buddy humbled himself and gave it another shot, taking Lucas to a concert. Lucas took the time to help his dad understand what the artist was saying. The outcome? They shared a newfound appreciation for rap together and another avenue of bonding thanks to the common ground with his son. Many stories like this exist, especially with the ever-popular Taylor Swift; moms, dads, and teens are now sharing playlists and friendship bracelets—and forging bonds through music. These stories are so much more than anomalies; they're testaments to the transformative power of musical connection. How Do Musical Sounds Make You Feel? Find Out! From the ancient drumbeats of our ancestors to the digital rhythms of today's hits, music remains a timeless connector across all walks of life. Whether it was the Hurrian Hymn played on a nine-stringed sammûm or the most recent EDM (Electronic Dance Music) from Tiësto, music has been integral to human civilization, and clearly how it makes us feel. While music has been essential throughout human history and has been proven to forge bonds, it is crucial to understand that no two individuals are alike, and thus, no two tastes in music are always the same. What someone might find soothing and nostalgic, another may find sad and fearful. Music can be a great way to express these feelings and connect with our teens (or anyone!) as long as we remember that each person can experience the same song differently. Berkeley University has done some amazing studies and impressive investigative work on how certain tunes, musical notes, and harmonies evoke certain emotions. Curious? Check it out! Listen to Berkeley's Interactive Music Map Now! Music and Parenting: DO! If your child wants to begin playing an instrument, singing, or joining school activities for this, we should always encourage it! Remember, music takes many forms: where it can be done alone or in a group, with instruments or without—and it can even include listening to music, moving to the music, and doing a little improv to whatever is on. Get Engaged! Here are a few activities you can do to break the music barrier and get involved: Weekly Music Night: #1 Homework/engagement exercies Call it 'Music Monday' or anything you want! Make your day special by playing music when you usually don't, such as at dinner. Talk music. Discuss music, debate your favorite artist, and share why you like a particular song or genre and what feelings or emotions it evokes. For example, I thrive on music that has terraced dynamics, such as a soft piano and vocals dropping on a dime, going all-out screamo, and heavy with drums and bass. It is the peacefulness to full throttle, where that transition pumps the adrenaline, giving the rush of energy. Create a Collaborative Playlist: With streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music, it's a cinch. Challenge each other to add songs that you think the other will enjoy, or set themes for the week like 'Songs that Make You Happy' or 'Songs to Chill Out To.' It's a fun, interactive way to explore each other's musical tastes and maybe even discover some new favorites together. Live Concerts: Make a point to go to a concert or musical event as a family once a month, a year, or however long you choose. There's something magical about experiencing live music together. Whether it's a concert by your teen's favorite band, a local music festival, or even a classical music performance, make plans to attend a musical event together. Take turns deciding what to see and who to see, and then discuss what you enjoyed about the concert after you saw it! Creation and Self-Expression Creating music is essential to self-expression and fosters creative thinking. Exploring and creating music builds self-esteem, problem-solving, and motivation, leading to character and individualism. Inspiring your children to explore their creative side and discover different music-making methods is a fantastic idea. Studies show that active music-making positively affects mental and emotional well-being, which helps our children overall. "Active music-making positively affects neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, that influence mood." - Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare : Megan Hoffer MM MT-BC, Julie Avirett MM MT-BC, Kelsey Bocharski Music Therapy Intern, Joshua Da Costa Music Therapy Intern What If I Disapprove of the Music? Countless parents disapprove of the music their child or teen enjoys and listens to for various reasons. For example, some disagree with the artists' songs' profanity or viewpoints/statements. Others disapprove of the sound of the music or the reputation of the genre of music or the artist. Whatever the reason that causes you to want to proclaim, "you should not listen to..." certain (or all) music, I beg of you for the sake of your teen and their emotions: please, give it a chance and reconsider your standpoint. Have you ever considered how a simple melody can open the door to your teen's world? A Radical Idea: Tune In, Not Out Keep an open mind. Instead of concentrating so hard on every hiccup of a "bad message" or F-bomb, tune in to your teen's music and get curious about what makes it so transformative to them. "Diving into their playlist is like diving into their inner world," a parent once shared with me, highlighting how shared musical experiences can act as a bridge to deeper emotional connections. By inviting your teen to share their favorite tunes, you're not just opening your ears—you're opening your heart. This gesture of genuine interest and acceptance speaks volumes, echoing the sentiment, "I see you, I hear you, and you matter to me." In addition, ask your teen to introduce you to three of their favorite songs this week, and in exchange, share three of yours. Discuss what you each like about them to spark meaningful conversations. Doing this will also give a deeper insight into their tastes and what makes them tick. #2 Homework/engagement exercises Music and Parenting: DON'T Even if you can't get behind your teen's music after trying to connect with them through their musical preferences, whatever the reasons are, I get it. It's tough. Some of the music out there can be a hard pill to swallow—whether morally, socially, or ethically. Regardless, understand this: The feelings that music evokes and makes a person feel are your child's feelings, not yours. Like it or not, you cannot change or mold your teen's core feelings. It is what makes them them. If you're worried about the messages in some songs, use them as starting points for open discussions with your teen about values, choices, and understanding different perspectives. It will give you that golden opportunity to see if your susceptible teen understands your family belief system and has good morals. In any case, do not fret. "A person's mind, mood, and body do not decipher the meanings of words in the same way that the body feels rhythm and beat," notes Dan Currie from CurlyStache Blogs . It's important to remember that it can include somebody's voice, too. It is also vital to remember that when the message is offensive, good, solid parenting will come in to save the day. If you have raised your child with a robust set of morals and beliefs, especially when it comes to knowing right from wrong, they will be just fine, and the concerning "message" in the song will fall by the wayside. In Conclusion, Let this blog be a call to action. Because music, with its pulsating rhythms and haunting melodies, has the power to whisper directly to our souls, weaving an intricated tapestry of shared experiences and unspoken understandings. Let us lean into the music that moves our teens, guiding them with our shared values and open hearts. For every note, beat, and lyric, there is an opportunity to connect, understand, and grow together. It doesn't matter what the music is- whether it is elevator music, birds chirping, or death metal- lean into it and do not try to shun it away. Remember, if it feels good, regardless of the message it may be delivering, listen on and allow your family belief system and morals to guide you past any sinister messages. Music is a gateway to your deepest emotions, giving you a control dial to manage your stress and anxiety. Now, it's time to use this powerful tool and unlock all it offers by chilling out and dialing in! So, let music be the bridge you build towards understanding and closeness with your teen. The harmony you create together will resonate far beyond the notes. Enjoy it? Spread the word and share it with the masses! 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Home Start Here! Blogs More Shop Podcasts More Raising Teens Today: Guiding Teenagers with Find us on Social! >>> Essential Parenting Dos and Don'ts Raising Te ens Today & Personalities : The 2-way Street PART I One of the most essential and overlooked parts of a robust and healthy relationship with your child, regardless of age, is the ability to identify and understand their personality. It becomes crucial to ensure we know their qualities and tendencies as they become tweens and teens to improve communication and assist with their moral compass. There are right and wrong ways to go about this; this article will cover all you need to know to get to know your teen's personality without becoming overbearing or forcing your personality onto them. I would also like to invite you to stick around next week for part two, where we go into depth on why teenagers need to understand your personality too! You don't want to miss it! Jump to a Section : Raising Teens Today & Personality: The 2-way Street - PART I ► Intro (top of page) ► Personality Tests ► Step Up: The Pyramid ► Enjoy the Summit, Briefly ► Descend: The Pyramid, CAREFULLY ► I Found Their Personality. Now What? ► Conclusion ► Comments — Notations & References — Personality Test: MBTI — Personality Test: Big 5 — The Bare Essentials — Safety Needs — Love & Belonging — Appreciation — Self-Actualization — T he Pyramid Overview — Observe the Tick — Focusing on the Quirk — Finding the Personality in the Middle — Missing the Mark — Accept Their Personality - NEVER resent it! — Why is it so vital to understand their personality? — Crack the Code, Begin Communicating Take a moment and SUBSCRIBE Enter your email address Subscribe Thanks for subscribing! Never miss a blog post Stay informed Newsletters and web-happenings Chance for upcoming freebies & merch ► BUT YOU HAVE TO BE A SUBSCRIBER! DON'T WORRY, IT'S FREE! ◄ Written By DanielCurrie Published: August 21, 2023 Personality Tests When grasping your teenager's personality, there is a right and wrong way to do this. First, when looking for their personality traits as parents, we want details like they came from something other than a painting by Picasso. Instead, we only wish to use broad strokes to get the basics, nothing too specific. In other words, we CANNOT and MUST NOT try to become amateur psychologists and diagnose them. Even if you are a board-certified psychologist, there still should be no need¹. But, if you find yourself doing this or needing to take your child or teen to the doctor for evaluation, or to get a professional opinion, for no other reason but to "find out" what personality your teen has or to see what one of the 16 MBTI traits they possess, you are doing it all wrong. Save Personality Test: MBTI Save There are two well-known personality tests that you can take yourself if you choose for fun. When trying to understand your teenager's personality as a parent, neither of these tests should explicitly define your teen—in the best circumstances, it could be used as a guide. The first test is called the MBTI, which stands for Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, named after the mother & daughter duo, Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Briggs Myers. The pair invented the test after being inspired by the Swiss psychoanalyst Carl Jung on personality theories². For more information on the MBTI, check out SimplyPsycology.org's page³ and use their chart to see how you (or anyone else) stack up! Personality Test: Big 5 The "Big 5" Personality Traits are the second personality of the two tests. The "Big 5" can be considered the broad stroke if the MBTI is the Picasso. Some know it better as OCEAN⁴. OCEAN stands for the five personality traits in the "Big 5": O penness : One who is curious and has imagination. Fondness for the arts, new experiences, and ideas. C onscientiousness : Always working towards achievements, pushing the bar to be the best, and ensuring excellence in part due to self-discipline. E xtraversion : Known as a "people's person," how friendly, energetic, and sociable a person is. They draw energy from being around others. A greeableness : Enjoys peace and harmony. Typically optimistic, generous, and kind while trying to get along with others. N euroticism : Gravitates towards negativity. These types of emotions include but are not limited to anger, anxiety, and depression. Save A parent's role is to raise their children from the ground up. From the day our children are born up to the time they move out as an adult, we, as parents, are continuously trying to raise and sculpt them starting with basic needs, their physiological needs, such as food and shelter. By utilizing Mozlow's Hierarchy of Needs⁵, we can understand what our teens need in life to be great, successful adults. Step Up: The Pyramid Start Save The Bare Essentials As we make our way up the pyramid, we will slowly see glimpses of their personalities; the more we observe, the better communication and relating with them will become. At the base of the pyramid is the bare essentials. Parents should always raise their children with food and shelter, among other necessities. Save Safety Needs Once their basic needs are covered, a parent's duties are far from complete. Next is to address all their safety needs, ensuring a stable and secure life. Ensuring our teens feel comfortable with daily routines, schooling, and extracurricular activities is vital for their emotional growth. Save Love & Belonging Parents that ensure a roof over their teen's head and ensure rides to school are only parenting at 40% (we can all agree there is so much more to parenting; kudos to all you parents out there!) Mentally and emotionally strong teens will always have the best chance for success in life. To establish this for their teen, parents must guarantee their child feels a powerful sense of love and belonging in the home while trying to give them the best chance for emotional success outside the house. Save Appreciation When a strong sense of belonging occurs, their self-esteem, respect, worth, and status will naturally flourish without much guidance or oversight from mom and dad (or guardian). Your teen will begin to show appreciation for themselves and others, giving them a sense of self-actualization or the willingness and eagerness to do something great with their life—the top step in our pyramid. Save Self-Actualization As your teen makes it to the summit of the pyramid and holds their future in their hand confidently, with conviction, and a sense of purpose, you can rest assured that you have done a fantastic job parenting. Pat yourself on the back: as a parent, you've gone from giving your child nothing but merely a roof over their head to showing them the way through life, crucially and perhaps most challenging, by guiding teenagers into adulthood with a sense of purpose. Save Enjoy the Summit, Briefly The steps to raising a solid teenager are complete. Continue maintaining the pyramid by utilizing some of the essential parenting dos and don'ts discussed in previous blog articles. As you continue to support your teen from atop the pyramid, it's time to go back down step by step to obtain insight and improve your relationship with them that much better. As any great, committed parent will agree, a parent's work is never done. Save The Pyramid Overview All the steps are complete, and we've enjoyed the proverbial view from atop the summit and all that we have accomplished as great parents. As you can see, we have some more steps to go, specifically in gaining insight into the minds and personalities of your young ones. Save After raising your teen with essential parenting dos and don'ts—and proving that it has been successful via the pyramid, it is critical to head back down. Why though? We climb the pyramid to raise our teens to the best of our ability but carefully, gradually, and discreetly head back down to UNDERSTAND their personalities, quirks, and what makes them tick. When we do this, it is essential to find the sweet spot and aim for it, trying to keep it manageable. The closer we reach the mark, the better our understanding of our teen will be. Descend: The Pyramid, CAREFULLY End Save Observing the Tick Save The target mark to thoroughly understand their personality is the middle of the pyramid: Love and Belonging. To get there, we need to start at the top, so as we get to know our teens on the self-actualization level with their newfound confidence and ambitions (compliments to your great parenting!), we gain insight into what makes them tick. Understanding their desires, passions, life goals, and what drives them will paint a vivid picture of how they feel about specific topics and self-found morals and ethics. Furthermore, it forces their reasonings and why they may have such a deep conviction regarding certain opinions, beliefs, or ideas. Focusing on the Quirk Now that we understand their desires for life, we also understand why and what makes them tick. Carefully moving down the pyramid, we arrive at the esteem level. This level will show insight into their quirks and reveal more personality. Remember, as we molded our teens in this step, it included building their self-esteem, and emotional strength, liberating them from the fear of ridicule. As the layers peel back and we begin to see our teen's self-esteem thrive, it begins to reveal the quirks that make them unique with their personality that makes them one of a kind. Save Finding the Personality in the Middle Save Arriving at the sweet spot in the pyramid, love & belonging, will show us all we need to know about our teenager's personality. Coupled with their ticks and quirks, studying their enjoyment of friendships and connecting with others will show us how emotionally invested they are in relationships. This pyramid section will reveal their personality and social tendencies with friends and strangers—interactions between others and virtually any emotion. Observing your teen with the mindset of their feelings will establish their personality when trying to understand where they are coming from and what they believe in due to their emotional stance on the situation. Missing the Mark So what happens when we fall short or overshoot the "pyramid" mark? Hitting the target of the Love and Belonging section of the pyramid is difficult and similar to a game of curling. Don't try to overdo it, but make sure you also put enough effort into it. If you put little effort into trying to, you will only scratch the surface and need help understanding what makes them tick. If you try too hard, you will drive them away as you overinvest in analyzing every aspect and appear controlling instead of inviting and supporting. Save I Found Their Personality. Now What? Accept Their Personality - NEVER Resent It! As you learn their personality and what makes them tick and why, figuring out their quirks along the way, under no circumstance should you hold a grudge to it. This is who they are, their personality, and what makes them unique. If you try to change a person's personality because you do not like or approve of it, even if it's just a portion of it, it is the equivalent of saying, "I do not support you (or a part of you), and you must change to meet my expectations." Please note that you must accept and respect their personality; they are entitled to it. Crucially, it does NOT mean you must approve of their tastes and lifestyles. Save Why is it so vital to understand their personality? Your teen will undoubtedly do things you do not approve of at times or, at the very least, go against the grain of your teachings. Once you begin to understand their personality, it will allow for a better understanding of why they do what they do. Furthermore, when you can see their thought process more clearly, even if unapproving, you can begin to appreciate their reasoning, which will translate into better relations. Save Crack the Code, Begin Communicating Continuing to hone in on that sweet spot of understanding their personality will get you closer to understanding the reasoning for their decisions. The more you know about their reasons, the better your relationship will become because you can see both sides more clearly and with less bias. Handling the situation will become more effective when you can talk and relate to your teen, better understanding their thoughts. Save Conclusion In the end, if you can better understand and communicate with your teen, the more and easier you will get through to them the way you want. Despite teens being teens and rolling their eyes, if you can understand their personality, the more you will connect and communicate with your teen, the more your relationship will improve. There is one other part to the personality equation: the teen. We can attempt to talk and woo our teens since we know the tricks to their personalities, but it will only work effectively if our teens are willing to meet us halfway. Stay tuned next week for the 2nd part of the two-part series on teens needing to understand their parent's personalities and how to handle personality changes. Your Opinion Matters! Leave a comment. Let us know what you think! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. ▲ Back to Top Home Start Here! Blogs More Shop Podcasts More Find us on Social! >>> CurlyStache Blogs: A division of CurlyStache, www.curlystache.com . | Raising Teens Today: Guiding Teenagers with Essential Parenting Dos and Don'ts Copyright notice: All images on this page, including all pages within the https://www.curlystache.com domain, are fully licensed or created for the sole purpose of this website. For additional information, please contact us at admin@curlystache.com Notations & References ¹ This blog is written for children and teens under normal circumstances, with no mental or physical issues requiring a neurologist, psychologist, or other specialist. If you have questions about your child's psychological or physical health, check with your healthcare provider first. This article is NOT intended to assist in any diagnosis or to prove/disprove any medical conditions. ²5 things you didn't know about the history of the Myers-Briggs system by Janet Nguyen ³How The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Works: 16 Personality Types by Julia Simkus, reviewed by Saul Mcleod, Ph.D. ⁴The creative personality: Which of the Big 5 Personality Traits is associated with creativity by Nick Skillicorn ⁵Maslow's Hierarchy Of Needs by Saul Mcleod , Ph.D., reviewed by Olivia Guy Evans

Guiding Teenagers: Celebrating a Year of Growth and Insight Written By : Daniel Currie Published On : 3/18/2024 Today marks a significant milestone for us as we celebrate the anniversary of our site and the 52 blogs that have come with it in the past year. Yes! That's right! 52 blogs, all made possible thanks to you. This occasion is a testament to the journey we've embarked upon since the very first day we decided to create a space dedicated to guiding parents of teenagers. Table of Contents ►🚀Blast off! It Began with CurlyStache ► The Journey of CurlyStache Blogs and Guiding Teenagers ►Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs ►Most Popular Blog of the Year ►Most Popular Mashup of the Year ►Looking Ahead: The Future of Guiding Teenagers ►Celebration Time: Giving Back to Our Readers ►Building Our Community ►Engaging with Our Readers ►Conclusion: A Toast to Togetherness Blog Focus: Guiding Teenagers Special Read Time: 7 minutes Relativity Rating: Everyone What's this? 🚀Blast off! It Began with CurlyStache Many ask, why "Guiding Teenagers? Why not race cars?" The simple answer? I sought to fill a void within myself, one that I discovered could only be filled by helping others cultivate strong bonds with their children and teens without forcing their will onto them. To guide and help parents with essential dos and don'ts when raising children and teens. That said, let's take a moment to reminisce about the path we've traversed, highlighting the evolution, challenges, and triumphs that have defined our blog—because, hey, things have changed. We're here for every person, not just parents of teens. CurlyStache The CTRL+ALT+DAD Life Read Our 1st Blog Dive into CurlyStache's heart: A dad's venture into blogging, sharing wisdom on parenting teens with humor & honesty. Join the CTRL+ALT+DAD movement. The Journey of CurlyStache Blogs and Guiding Teenagers Starting from Scratch: The Birth of Our Blog In the beginning, there was an idea—actually, a burning question from my little girl. "What is a blog?" Those four simple words ignited my passion. This translated into hundreds of hours and a significant investment poured into the vast World Wide Web, offering a helping hand and a little hope to parents and adults alike, all for free. Thanks to that one question, that profound purpose was discovered. I feel, from experience, that it is imperative to encourage individuality while avoiding extremes—being too permissive, neglectful, or overly authoritative to foster growth and maintain a close bond. Our blog was born on this foundation. The desire to share insights, experiences, and advice on the complexities of guiding and raising teenagers and doing it effectively. Initially, the road was fraught with obstacles, from technical glitches to finding our voice in a crowded digital landscape. Yet, through perseverance and a deep-seated belief in our mission, we transformed challenges into stepping stones toward our goal. The Evolution of Our Blog Reflecting on the past year, our blog has undergone a remarkable transformation. From humble beginnings with a basic layout, initially eclectic, our site has blossomed into a vibrant authoritative hub, complete with engaging content and interactive features. One of our early subscribers elegantly stated in a survey email, "I've read most blogs you wrote. The tremendous growth over the past 9 months is utterly humbling, and I make a point to read every week now. The attention to detail, while staying truthful to yourself and beliefs, is refreshing, especially when they can be substantiated by fact." A sincere reply such as that was enlightening, further reinforcing that each milestone, from our first subscriber to our latest site redesign, has been a learning experience. These moments teach us the value of adaptability and the importance of our readers' feedback. Thank you to everyone! Delve into the whole story in great detail. Visit the About Us section of the website now! Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs Navigating the Rough Waters The journey wasn't always smooth sailing—not by a long shot. We encountered our fair share of hurdles, especially in the realm of learning how much was involved. From content creation to site management, we had some disastrous close calls. There were times when the future seemed uncertain. Still, the passion for making a positive difference in the lives of parents, their teenage children, and anybody with a teen in their life fueled our determination to push forward. Victories Big and Small Amidst the challenges, we celebrated numerous successes that have shaped the essence of our blog, from viral posts that sparked meaningful discussions to creating positive impacts on individual families. Each victory, whether big or small, has been a source of motivation and a reminder of why we started this journey. Diving Deeper: Our Most Popular Blogs and Mashups Revisited Full-Length Blog : Raising Teens Today Who Want Body Piercings: Handling the Situation One of our most engaging discussions arose from the blog post "Raising Teens Today Who Want Body Piercings: Handling the Situation," which delved into the world of teenage self-expression. The post struck a chord with many readers, particularly on how to address their concerns correctly with their teens and realize that it is not the end of the world. For example, one reader shared, "Your post made me realize that piercings, which can heal, are not the end of the world—tattoos could be a bigger concern for a young, impressionable adult who's still a kid in my eyes." This prompted us to explore related themes, such as our tattoo series, along with the significance of personal identity and freedom of expression among teenagers, further enriching our content and understanding of the teenage psyche. Raising Teens Today Who Want Body Piercings: Handling the Situation Discover the Buzz! Teens and piercings are more than just a phase. Navigate their desires for body piercings with wisdom and the essentials for dialogue and understanding. Mashup Blog : Worry Less, Live More: Manage Your Worries The Secret Lies Within! Worry Less, Live More: Manage Your Worries Discover strategies to worry less and focus on what truly matters—family, friends, hobbies, and jobs. Embrace a life with less stress and more joy with mindfulness! Our discussion on "Worry Less, Live More: How to Effectively Manage Your Worries" became one of the most captivating conversations of the year. Readers profoundly resonated with its practical advice and heartfelt insights, sharing how implementing its strategies significantly alleviated their stress and anxiety. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many describing it as a turning point in their approach to daily worries, underscoring its impact as one of the most valued and transformative articles we've shared. For instance, one reader emailed us, "Despite how silly it sounded at first, sitting down daily to start a worry journal has profoundly impacted my life and allowed me to better come to grips with my daily stress and anxiety." Looking Ahead: The Future of Guiding Teenagers What's on the Horizon? As we look to the future, we're excited to unveil new topics, platforms, and growth opportunities inspired by our followers' feedback. Our commitment to evolving with our community's needs is stronger than ever, promising yet another year filled with insightful, engaging, and supportive content for parents, their teenage children, and all adults alike. Spoiler alert! Watch for our blogs to become audio podcasts and other self-improving services! I would love to hear your thoughts; leave me your comments below. Is there anything else you would like to see? Celebration Time: Giving Back to Our Readers Anniversary Giveaway: Join the Fun! We're thrilled to announce an anniversary giveaway in gratitude to our loyal readers. This is our way of saying thank you for your support, engagement, and trust. Check back throughout our birthday week of March 18 through March 24 for details on how to enter and the fantastic prizes you could win! Follow us on social media for real-time updates and giveaways! Haven't found us on social yet? No worries! Here are the links to them all. Be sure to share our content and spread the word to the masses! Building Our Community Spotlight on Fellow Bloggers and Employees Collaboration is at the heart of our community-building efforts. We're eager to shine a spotlight on fellow bloggers who share our passion for supporting parents and teenagers. These collaborations not only enrich our content but also offer our readers diverse perspectives and resources. Thank you, Rita McDuffy, for the extensive research. Shannon and Mark Wheeler, thank you for allowing me to guest blog on your site and co-blogging with me. Sarah Dickerman, my editor, and your beloved Rigby, as the feature of my blog "Hey Rigby!" Devan Currie, your countless hours on the backend of the site were monumental, and you met the challenge with enthusiasm because you believed in the project. Lastly, and of course, our friends and family, for the blog suggestions, assistance in many ways, helping to get the word out, and obviously, the countless other ways you've helped that only you could. Spotlight on the CurlyStache and Guiding Teenagers Family In addition, a special shoutout to my family, Khloé, Dylan, Devan, and Kelly, for their tireless efforts to help with the cause. Although I may be considered the face of the blog and site, they are clearly the backbone of it all; thank you all! Engaging with Our Readers We Want to Hear from You! As always, your voice is crucial to our blog's success. We encourage you to share your thoughts, suggest topics, and participate in discussions. Your feedback shapes our content, ensuring it remains relevant, helpful, and engaging. Please drop us a suggestion on the About Us and Contact Us pages. Additionally, email us at opinions@curlystache.com to express your opinions directly! Join the Conversation Let's keep the conversation going. Comment below (and on any blog!), share your stories and connect with us on social media. Together, we can create a supportive and informative community for everyone, everywhere. Conclusion: A Toast to Togetherness As we reflect on the past year, our hearts are filled with gratitude for our readers, contributors, and collaborators. Togetherness means so much more than "you and me." It is a community. It binds us; we are the Guiding Teenagers community where you can come to leisurely bask, seek advice and support, ask questions, offer unbiased opinions, and even enjoy an occasional meme we post on social media daily. Your support and engagement have been the driving force behind our blog's success. Here's to another year of growth, learning, and togetherness. Cheers to our collective journey ahead! Check back throughout the week for ways to participate in our prize giveaways. As a way to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts, we want you to come back on Thursday for our 53rd blog, an epic Mashup that will leave you wanting more. Yep, that is your teaser. See you then! Guiding Teenagers with Essential Parenting Dos and Don'ts Enjoy it? Spread the word and share it with the masses! Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. Check out our 3-minute Mashups Up Mashup Home Up or bask in our full-length blogs! Up Our Library Up

Raising Teens Today: Guiding Teenagers with Essential Parenting Dos and Don'ts Home Start Here! Blogs More Shop Podcasts More Find us on Social! >>> You are Here: CurlyStache | How to Foster Positive Relations with Socially Awkward Teens Privacy Policy | Cookies Policy | Contact Us How to Foster Positive Relations with Socially Awkward Teens INSPIRE SOCIAL CONFIDENCE! SEIZE THE MOMENT AND CONQUER OBSTACLES ENGAGE IN THEIR UNTAPPED POTENTIAL AND EMBRACE THEIR AUTHENTIC PERSONALITY! 🤏 Intro 🫶 ✍️ Read Blog 👇 💯 Top 10 list to help your teen 👊 This blog will cover essential dos and don'ts in assessing and identifying obstacles troubling your teen socially. Additionally, we will cover tools, resources, and techniques you can use to help your teen through their difficult time—including a top 10 list of most effective ways to assist your teen in developing social connections. From the tools within this article and your compassion as a parent, there is nothing your teen can't accomplish during this challenging period. Written By Daniel Currie Published: September 25, 2023 Please be sure to leave a comment in the posts! This helps many parents see YOUR perspective on the topic, too! Like the article or think it could help somebody else? Please share it ! Follow us on social media for updates with the newest blog releases, website news, and a place to get amusing memes regularly , sure to get you through the day with a smile on your face! Don't forget to include #CurlyStache and #CurlyStacheBlogs when sharing and discussing Let's get the word out there! Take a moment to SUBSCRIBE Never miss a blog post Stay informed Newsletters and web-happenings Chance for upcoming freebies & merch ► BUT YOU HAVE TO BE A SUBSCRIBER! DON'T WORRY, IT'S FREE! ◄ Enter your email address Subscribe Thanks for subscribing! As a parent, you want the best for your child, especially regarding their social life. However, if your teen struggles with social interactions and feels awkward in social settings, knowing how to help them can be challenging. But don't worry, as we are raising teens today, we can do a few things to support and understand them. Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, it's crucial to recognize that everyone is unique regarding how social they are and want to be. Some teens crave the center stage, wanting to be the life of the party, while others are content with calling their cat their best friend, to whom they tell all their secrets. Even though your teen may appear to struggle connecting with others and become more social like all their peers, they could be content with precisely how they are. Our job as parents is to identify exactly what is going on; this way, we can help appropriately if help is needed. Assess the situation. When the time is right, communicate with your teen. Your teen must understand it's okay to make mistakes and that social awkwardness is a common experience that everyone goes through. Question them, asking them what they prefer regarding their social preference. Do they want to be part of a big group of friends that hang out at the football game? Do they like a few close friends who get lost in each other's secrets? Online via social media or online gaming? Perhaps their grandpa is the only one who understands them best. Or maybe they are just an animal lover whose whole world revolves around the pet cat they've had since a toddler. There is no wrong friendship or way of socializing; within the human mind, emotions and how they make you feel are all the same. Suppose it is not the mainstream version of socializing, such as going to a party on Saturday night, instead preferring to stay home to play Xbox or building a contraption for the pet cat. In that case, it simply means they are uniquely exceptional. They are original people who would much rather march to their own beat than anyone else. To all teens who do what makes them happy (socially or otherwise), regardless of what others may think, I tip my hat to you because you are doing it correctly! If you find your teen is doing their own thing and marching to their own tune because they choose to, life is good! No need to worry anymore; they are doing what makes them happy, and their social skills are developing just fine. Keep in mind, many teens who choose to be alone or with very few friends (a) do, in fact, have an outlet for someone to confide in, laugh with, and share secrets with, most likely at school and away from parents, and (b) their social skills are continuing to grow through school, whereas the weeknights and weekends are needed to decompress from it all. However, if your teen wants to get out and have a robust social life but is struggling to make friends or keep friends or just feels awkward in social settings, there are things we can do to help. Start by ruling out problems directly contributing to social issues, such as drug or alcohol abuse, school bullying, or clinical depression. Be encouraged to talk with school counselors, teachers, and principals about school behavior issues or potential bullying. If medical problems are suspected or identified, consult your medical physician before anything. Remember, social skills building will not work if depression is not treated first. Once substance abuse, medical problems, or other physical issues have been ruled out or dealt with, the next step is to ensure you separate your issues from theirs. What I mean by this is that parents have the tendency, even if subconsciously, to project not only their wants and needs to their teen but also their fears and paranoia. When coupled with addressing your teen's social issues, since it can be an unnerving situation, when your parental instincts kick in, and you want to jump in and "fix it," making it all the better for your teen, it often backfires, sending the wrong message. Your teen could see your intervening and trying to help (although the intentions are good) as questioning their competency to make friends and be social and independent. Instead, don't go out trying to fix anything; be there for them, attentively listening while being impartial, gaining your teen's trust as they confide in you. Remember, the more your teen feels like you could be criticizing them or your body language implies you are judging them, the less likely they will ever want to confide in you. If you don't show tolerance and grace when they open up to you, helping them get through their social roadblock becomes very difficult. Keep in the back of your mind as your teenager divulges that they are in a volatile period: not a child anymore, but not an adult either. Remind yourself you were once in that position, too, where you were a confused, excited, emotional, untidy, sensitive, and secretive teenager. Ensure you empathize with your teen. No matter what they say, try to stay calm and, crucially, listen to them before coming to conclusions. There is no need to show judgment; make them feel comfortable and safe knowing they can freely talk about an uneasy situation. Once your teen has explained how they feel and what seems to be the obstacle they need to overcome, don't be quick to tell them their mistakes or suggest what they could've done differently. Instead, voice back to them what they stated, clarifying their thoughts and allowing them to interpret the summary of the situation so they can find their flaws or improvements, if any, on their own. While they become comfortable opening up to you, it also allows for a unique perspective into your teen that you may have otherwise never seen. Encourage them to approach social situations with a positive attitude and focus on having fun rather than worrying about how they are perceived by others. Offer your advice and wisdom when they ask. It's completely fine to request to make a suggestion after they laid it all out on the table, and you listen intently to everything they had to say. Ensure you never pressure them to take your guidance or suggestions; only they can choose to take your advice or leave it. We are here to support and guide them however they need; remember, this uneasy situation isn't about you - it's about your teen. So take a deep breath, turn off your brain, and simply be there for them however they need. Of course, as parents, we need to be proactive and encourage ways to conquer social awkwardness. It is important to stress that coercing or forcing our teens into anything is not helping; it only hurts and further upsets them. That being said, subtly suggest or offer ways they could get involved in situations that trigger a positive social experience or ways to prepare for the next time there is a social situation. Top 10 essential strategies to assist teens who feel socially awkward begin feeling more comfortable and confident making connections: Friendships: Discuss what friendship means to your teen. Define what a friend means to cultivate relationships better. To some, a friend is someone you see at a party. To others, it may be a sole friend. Once you've identified what is needed, you can help guide your teen toward achieving the friendship they desire. 1 2 Common Interests: Look for places where common interests intersect, such as online forums, extracurricular clubs, support groups, and even online games (multiplayer or one-on-one). These are excellent low-stake environments where people can meet and interact with the same base interests or issues. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Transitions: As teens age, they find new sports, social circles, clubs, or groups. This usually means spending less time with old friends while offering the chance to make new friends. It is an excellent opportunity to explain how interests change and how pursuing new things and meeting new people is healthy. Activities: Try new activities, sports, or hobbies. This is a great natural way to begin communicating with peers and stimulating friendships. It encourages socialization, all while allowing your teen to discover new interests they can look forward to. As a bonus, the built-in structure of the activity will assist in reducing anxieties. Online: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, friendships and social experiences have bloomed online in the digital world. Although face-to-face is preferred, the human connection is there, allowing natural feelings to flow and the sense of being wanted to be fulfilled. Online friends can be an excellent stepping stone to the real deal as they become more comfortable and confident in face-to-face interactions. Role-play: Find what situations make your teen the most uncomfortable, play out different scenarios, and give suggestions on how to handle each. They really will listen to you, even if they may not seem to! Small Talk: Baby steps. Do they feel uncomfortable talking in crowds or with classmates or employees? Have them try starting a small conversation with someone they will never see again (or a frequent person they bump into, turning into a real friendship!) Try the local cashier at the grocery store, the bookstore clerk, or lunch lady. Social Cues: Discussing social cues will help in joining conversations and socializing. Explain and role-play familiar signals, such as eye contact, body language, hand signals, etc., or if a group falls silent as you approach, tones and moods/vibes change. Go over how to read and handle each situation. Counseling: Sometimes, it's easiest to begin talking to a counselor. It does not need to be to talk about problems or social issues. Think of it this way: if you can start a conversation with them, you can begin a conversation with any individual! Medical: If your teen's social anxiety impacts their daily life excessively, seeking professional help may also be necessary. A therapist can provide them with tools and strategies to manage their anxiety and build confidence in social settings. 10 In conclusion, helping your socially awkward teen involves understanding their perspective, encouraging them to join clubs or groups, practicing social skills, and reassuring them that it's okay to make mistakes. With your unwavering support and guidance, your teen can learn to navigate social situations with confidence and ease. Remember, as a parent, you can make all the difference in your teen's life. Share Blog (Copy Again) Copy Link https://www.curlystache.com/fostering-positive-relations-with-socially-awkward-teens Read More Next Blog Newest Mashup Staying vigilant with your teens and talking with them could mean the difference between having their life ruined, emotions and state of mind uprooted, and put in a tailspin 3 Priceless Tools to Prevent Costly Lifechanging Mistakes Written By: Daniel Currie Published on: October 16, 2023 🫶 Read Now 👉 This Mashup article, episode 002, is geared towards self-educating to better hone parenting skills. Dive deeper! Each of the 4 styles comes with a sub-blog link in the article. Uncover 4 Superior Parenting Styles Written By: Daniel Currie Published on: October 11, 2023 🤏 Read Now 👉 Additional Blogs Find all the CurlyStache blogs where Raising Teens Today is at its core right here! Guiding Teenagers with Essential Parenting Dos and Don'ts is the theme! 👊 Browse Now 👉 Additional Mashups Short 3-minute Blogs where there is no criteria or format. The Mashup slogan says it all: Short Raising Teens Blog Entries. Opinionated. Grounded in Facts. 👌Browse Now 👉 Your Opinion Matters! Leave a comment—It matters what you think! comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. ▲ Back to Top Home Start Here! Blogs More Shop Podcasts More Find us on Social! >>> You are Here: CurlyStache | How to Foster Positive Relations with Socially Awkward Teens Privacy Policy | Cookies Policy | Contact Us CurlyStache Blogs: A division of CurlyStache, www.curlystache.com . | Raising Teens Today: Guiding Teenagers with Essential Parenting Dos and Don'ts Copyright notice: All images on this page, including all pages within the https://www.curlystache.com domain, are fully licensed or created for the sole purpose of this website. For additional information, please contact us at admin@curlystache.com

Services Welcome to the world of GuidingTeenagers.com, where my passion for writing extends beyond this site. I'm dedicated to bringing a unique voice and dynamic online presence in various ways through diverse, reputable websites and companies. This particular page is currently undergoing exciting updates! We invite you to check back daily for the unveiling of our comprehensive service packages. Stay tuned for what's to come! We're eager to assist you during this update! Please share how we can support you by filling out the form below. Rest assured, a swift response is on its way! Thank you for your patience and understanding. Services Welcome to the world of GuidingTeenagers.com, where my passion for writing extends beyond this site. I'm dedicated to bringing a unique voice and dynamic online presence in various ways through diverse, reputable websites and companies. How can we better serve you? Personal Services Commercial Services Submit Heading 6 Magical Deserts 4/11-5/12 Description Button Heading 6 Exotic Urbanism 4/11-5/12 Description Button Heading 6 Misty Mountains 4/11-5/12 Description Button ◄ Newer Mashups Older Mashups ► Writing Welcome to the world of GuidingTeenagers.com, where my passion for writing extends beyond this site. I'm dedicated to bringing a unique voice and dynamic online presence to various reputable websites and companies. Are you in search of a professional blogger or writer who delves deep into research, offers insightful perspectives on your products, and enriches content with valuable feedback, backlinks, and references? Let's connect and elevate your brand together. Reach out to us for a collaboration that makes a difference! Discover our comprehensive range of services and receive tailored price quotes by visiting us on Fiverr. Just kicking around some ideas, looking for a quick quote or have a question regarding what we can do for you? 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Here, your voice is heard, your challenges are acknowledged, and your growth is our priority. Let us accompany you on your path to finding peace and clarity, all while maintaining the anonymity you value. Coaching As a dedicated self-taught coach specializing in parenting teenagers, my journey has been fueled by a deep-seated passion for empowering parents and their families through the challenging yet rewarding teenage years. My commitment to this cause is now steering me toward becoming a certified coach, further strengthening my ability to support and guide you. Whether you're in search of guidance, or simply yearning for a connection with someone who understands, without any pressure or commitment, I am at your service. If there are moments when the world feels overwhelming and what you desire is a like-minded companion for casual, no-strings-attached conversations, know that I'm here to support you in any way you need. 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Navigating the Teen Years: A Guide to Preventing Parental Burnout GT Mashup Blog: Episode 009 Written By : Daniel Currie Published On : 2 /8 /2024 Relativity Rating: Everybody Under 20 What's this? The teen years are a wild ride. Get real insights and no-BS strategies for guiding teenagers and making parental downtime a non-negotiable part of life. Let's get real for a minute. Parenting teenagers is like being on a never-ending emotional rollercoaster. One second, they're sweet and loving, and the next, they're slamming doors because you asked them how their day was. It's enough to drive anyone to the brink. And let's not even start on the advice everyone seems to have about raising teens. But here's the honest truth: without some serious parental downtime, we're all just a sneeze away from losing our shit. The Tightrope Walk of Guiding Teenagers Raising teens is a balancing act between giving them the freedom to screw up and being there to catch them when they do. Like that time my daughter decided she would dye her hair pink... with permanent dye... the night before picture day. Deep breaths, right? It's in these "what the hell were you thinking?" moments that we have to remember: they're growing, learning, and, yes, making some questionable fashion choices along the way. The Emotional Whiplash is Real If you've got a teen in the house, you know the emotional whiplash I'm talking about. One minute you're the best parent ever, and the next, you're apparently ruining their life because you said no to a party on a school night. It's exhausting. And if we're not careful, it can lead to full-blown parental burnout. That's why it's so damn important to carve out some "me time." Why Parental Downtime is Non-Negotiable Here's the thing: we can't be good parents if we're running on empty. And let's be honest, trying to mediate teenage drama without a break? It's a recipe for disaster. We need downtime like we need air to breathe. Whether it's locking the bathroom door for a long soak without a phone in sight or hitting the gym to sweat out the stress, that shit is essential. Think of it this way: you wouldn't expect your phone to run without ever plugging it in, right? So why do we expect ourselves to keep going without ever taking a moment to recharge? It's not just about avoiding burnout; it's about showing our kids that taking care of yourself isn't just okay—it's necessary. The Essential Dos of Surviving the Teen Years 1) Laugh It Off. Sometimes, you've just got to laugh to keep from crying. Your kid dyed their hair green? Great, they're expressing themselves. They forgot their homework for the umpteenth time? It'll teach them responsibility... eventually. 2) Talk It Out. Keep those lines of communication open, even when it feels like talking to a brick wall. Every so often, you'll get through, and those moments are gold. 3) Claim Your Space. Seriously, take your downtime. Hide in the closet with a stash of chocolate if that's what it takes. No judgment here. 4) Ask for Help. It takes a village to raise a kid, and there's no shame in tapping out for a bit. Friends, family, or a therapist can be lifesavers. Wrapping It Up Parenting teenagers is not for the faint of heart. It's messy, it's loud, and it's filled with more drama than a reality TV show. But it's also incredibly rewarding. So let's not forget to take care of ourselves. Because at the end of the day, a happy, relaxed parent is the best kind of parent there is. Remember, it's okay to say, "Screw it, I need a break." That's not failing; it's being human. So go ahead, claim that parental downtime with all the fierceness of a teenager asserting their independence. You've earned it, and damn, it feels good. Until Next Time... Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Help us spread the word! Share this article across all your favorite platforms now!

Ditching College Helicopter Parenting for Real Growth GT Mashup Blog: Episode 010 Written By : Daniel Currie Published On : 2 /15 /2024 Relativity Rating: Late Teens & Young Adults What's this? Listen up, folks! We're in deep—knee-deep in the quagmire of college helicopter parenting, and guess what? It's time to yank ourselves out. You've seen it, right? Facebook groups for parents swapping tips on the best flu remedies and where to find that godsend of a foam pool noodle. Because, heaven forbid, Junior's phone takes a dive into the great unknown between the bed and the wall. But here's the kicker: are we really helping, or are we just scared shitless to let them navigate their own lives? It's a tough pill to swallow, realizing that our overbearing parenting style might be clipping their wings instead of prepping them for the flight of life. Real Talk on Independence Remember the first time you rode a bike without training wheels? That exhilarating, terrifying freedom? That's what college should be for our kids. It's their moment to wobble, fall, and get the hell back up again—on their own. But with us constantly lurking in the background, ready to catch them before they even tilt, we're robbing them of this crucial learning curve. The Fine Line Between Guiding and Smothering Guiding teenagers doesn't mean holding their hand every step of the way. It's about being there, sure, but more like a lighthouse guiding a ship home—not the captain steering the damn thing. It's about saying, "I trust you to make your choices, screw up, and learn from them." Because let's be real, the best lessons in life come wrapped in scraped knees and bruised egos. Raising Resilient Teens: The Essential Parenting Dos 1) Let Them Fail. Yeah, you heard me. Allow them to mess up, flunk a test, or miss a deadline. It's not the end of the world; it's the beginning of learning resilience. 2) Teach Problem-Solving. Instead of swooping in to fix every problem, ask them, "How do you plan to tackle this?" It's about empowering them to find solutions. 3) Encourage Independence. This means stepping back. Maybe your kid ends up eating ramen for a week because they blew their budget. It's a lesson learned for next time. 4) Open Communication. Keep those lines open, but don't make every call a check-up call. Sometimes, just listen, laugh, and let them know you're there—no strings attached. The Value of Self-Sufficiency Fostering self-sufficiency isn't just about making our lives easier; it's about preparing them for the real world. When they come to us with a problem, our first response shouldn't be to fix it but to ask, "What do you think you should do?" This approach encourages critical thinking and confidence in their ability to solve problems. Embracing the Chaos (And Growth) of College Life College isn't just an academic journey; it's a crash course in life. By stepping back, we allow our kids the space to navigate roommate issues, budgeting, and the consequences of last-minute cramming. These experiences are invaluable, teaching them about the realities of life and the importance of accountability. Cutting the Cord (Gently) I get it; it's freaking scary. The thought of your kid out there, making decisions without your guidance, can send you into a panic spiral. But here's the thing: we're not raising kids; we're raising future adults. Adults who need to know how to navigate life's ups and downs without a safety net. So, let's take a collective deep breath and take a step back. It's time to trust the process, trust our kids, and maybe, just a little, trust ourselves that we've done a damn good job up until this point. Here's to empowering our teens towards a future they can navigate confidently—foam pool noodles be damned. Until Next Time... Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Help us spread the word! Share this article across all your favorite platforms now!

Raising Teens Today: Guiding Teenagers with Essential Parenting Dos and Don'ts Home Start Here! Blogs More Shop Podcasts More Find us on Social! >>> You are Here: CurlyStache | Tweens & Teens Using Drugs & Alcohol: WHY is Vital Privacy Policy | Cookies Policy | Contact Us Tweens & Teens Using Drugs & Alcohol: WHY is Vital Guiding teenagers who gravitate to their drug or alcohol of choice In this blog: In this blog: Raising teens today and maneuvering through drug & alcohol abuse Top 13 reasons WHY tweens & teens use or abuse long after experimentation Suppose we can understand the reasons why our tweens and teens have the desire to get high, drunk, or anything else. If we can do that, we can begin to pull back the veil and peer into their mindset and what is causing them to be rebellious in doing what we've most likely preached against for their entire life. When and if we can accomplish this, we can nip the problem in the bud and potentially additional related issues. It's necessary to recognize, though, that every teen is different and unique in their own right, so there are no two identical situations as to why each tween or teen does drugs. This means you must really focus and pay attention to the littlest details to understand the why. Written By Daniel Currie Published: November 27, 2023 Relativity Rating What's this? Drugs are bad*. I am pretty sure if you are a parent, grandparent, guardian, or simply a sensible, caring human being with a tween or teenager in your life, you know this. There are thousands of blogs and websites out there that will tell you this, with hundreds of ways to prevent drug abuse and misuse while encouraging healthy decision-making. Although the CurlyStache stance is that we strongly agree with those statements, this article will not dwell on it. Instead, let's try to understand why tweens and teens make those decisions. How come they choose to continue down the rabbit hole even when (and especially when) they know it is wrong, unhealthy, and usually carries the potential of life-threatening risks. Remember, this article talks less about trying something for the first time . I have tailored this entry toward those who use drugs recreationally or worse. Nevertheless, understanding why tweens and teens begin down this road is half the battle and, critically, often gets overlooked. Suppose we can intimately understand their attraction to the drug or drugs and its appeal. In that case, we can empathize and understand their position, allowing us to custom-fit a regimen to help them. Additionally, it will enable us to see through to them on a deeper level, encouraging them to engage and reach out. Furthermore, by doing this, they become more comfortable confiding in you when asking for help and guidance in these tricky times. It is imperative to remember there are hundreds of reasons, even multiple reasons, why our teens do what they do, using or abusing drugs. Furthermore, each reasoning is usually just as complex as the tween or teen. Regardless, I have included the top 13 reasons why our tweens and teens continue to use or abuse drugs long after the experimentation phase: It is imperative to remember there are hundreds of reasons, even multiple reasons, why our teens do what they do, using or abusing drugs. Furthermore, each reasoning is usually just as complex as the tween or teen. Regardless, I have included the top 13 reasons why our tweens and teens continue to use or abuse drugs long after the experimentation phase: It is imperative to remember there are hundreds of reasons, even multiple reasons, why our teens do what they do, using or abusing drugs. Furthermore, each reasoning is usually just as complex as the tween or teen. Regardless, I have included the top 13 reasons why our tweens and teens continue to use or abuse drugs long after the experimentation phase: It is imperative to remember there are hundreds of reasons, even multiple reasons, why our teens do what they do, using or abusing drugs. Furthermore, each reasoning is usually just as complex as the tween or teen. Regardless, I have included the top 13 reasons why our tweens and teens continue to use or abuse drugs long after the experimentation phase: ◄ Previous Next ► Remember, most of the time, there are multiple reasons. For example, little Peter, 13 years old, has been caught stealing his parent's beer and drinking it in the past. Since then, Mom and Dad started counting the cans and watching them closely to ensure Peter doesn't continue. A year later, Mom and Dad catch him again, realizing he is still stealing their beer, but only waiting until they are drunk and not paying close attention to the count anymore. He is clearly consuming by choice now, with the only reason he couldn't use is "out of curiosity." This is when it becomes necessary to start understanding his mindset, "this" being the second time getting caught, presuming the first time was for experimental or curiosity reasons. Nevertheless, since he was caught red-handed for the second time, his Mom and Dad must take a unique stance with distinctive action when talking with him. They must discipline Peter for breaking the rules and doing something illegal. Mom and Dad's attitude and demeanor become paramount at this point. How they come off will directly impact his reaction, how he responds, and potentially their relationship after the fact. Despite their disappointment and anger in Peter, Mom and Dad should remain as calm, relaxed, and collected as possible—even if they need to take a break and talk later. They mustn't fly off the handle, much like an authoritarian would. Conversely, completely blowing it off, becoming permissive or neglectful , is irresponsible and not good parenting either. Instead, Mom and Dad must be firm yet compassionate, remembering he is doing what makes him feel good too (parents are the same way—they just have the wisdom and "big-picture" understanding!). They must respect, listen without interruption, and be patient with their teen. The goal is to become more authoritative while being sensitive toward Peter's feelings and ensuring openness and presence for the teen. During their talk about drinking, they gave Peter the floor, allowing him to explain his actions with his own reasonings, without interruption or interjection. Although his parents disagreed with his explanation, and there was no excuse, it improved the chances of Peter returning the same respect after they attentively listened, allowing Peter to explain himself. Once Peter laid it all out for them and was given ample opportunity to say what he needed without anyone intervening, it was Mom and Dad's turn. Knowing they were getting the best version of Peter in a bad situation now, they began asking questions in hopes of understanding why he was still drinking. In this thought experiment, some of the questions (and answers) during their sit-down were: Why? But why alcohol and not something else? I'm thankful it wasn't drugs, though; I'm just curious. At y our age, drinking is just as bad as drugs. Where did you see that drinking was cool? How long has this been going on for? Do you honestly plan on stopping? Do you feel this 'urge' to NEED to drink even if you want to do something else? —"It makes me feel weird. But good." —"Drugs scare me, and both of you drink, so I thought it can't be as bad as weed or something like that." —"Well, none of my friends drink, I don't think, but stuff like that shows up on Insta and Twitter sometimes, sometimes Snapchat stories. But I promise, really, I don't have that stuff set as my interests/favorites or following or anything like that. It just shows up occasionally." —"I dunno. Let's just say it isn't the first time... Sorry." —"Yes and no. I would like to because it kind of seems stupid since I've drunk a few times, but I like the feeling, too." —"No, I only stole a few beers when you stopped paying attention. Otherwise, I wouldn't have cared and just figured out a way to get them if I felt like I NEEDED it- like I do ice cream!" After asking the proper questions and trying to figure out why Peter was doing it, they found it was most likely 3-parts "boredom and instant gratification," 2-parts "social media," and 1-part "family history," with the father's side having a history of abuse. With this information, Mom and Dad, after talking about it and not rushing to judgment, found the best form of punishment was giving him 1 hour of Internet per day. The thought process was that they would allow Peter one chance to clean up his actions on his own before seeking professional help, with family history being put into question. Limited Internet would force him to budget his time for online homework and other "essential" online needs, leaving little time for social media since that was a key factor. While that example was pretty detailed and in-depth, knowing there is more to it is important, too. For instance, your tween or teen's body language plays a role, knowing when a lie is being told and knowing that perhaps only half the truth is being told. In addition, it is essential to keep a vigilant eye out afterward for changes—good or bad. A misnomer that you will often hear when it comes to drug or alcohol abuse is "watch for attitude or behavior issues." Why is that a misnomer? Isn't it true? Sure, 95% of the time, your tween or teen's attitude or behavior will have issues and worsen. However, in the case of an undiagnosed health condition, it could become the opposite, where the adverse or negative happens. For example, if your tween or teen started showing symptoms of what would become OCD if left untreated and then began smoking marijuana around the same time. While under the influence, their behavior or mindset may improve via, in essence, self-medicating. In contrast, if they abruptly stop, the symptoms of OCD would become far more prevalent, causing them to appear to be under the influence or dependent on a drug. An involved, caring parent who wants nothing but the best for their tween or teen must constantly, without rest, keep a sharp eye out on their teen's surroundings. Half the battle in most cases when raising teens today is understanding the why, not just how to deal with it. Your tween or teen will continue to grow, making their own decisions. Our primary job as parents, grandparents, guardians, or whatever the relationship is is to ensure we do the best we can for them and guide them down the straight and narrow so that they become successful in life one day. More CurlyStache Blog Posts! Memento Mori: Happy Halloween CurlyStache Mashups CurlyStache Mashups Written By: Daniel Currie Published on: Saturday, October 28, 2023 Read Now 👉 Episode: Daniel Currie Up Previous Next Up Memento Mori: Happy Halloween CurlyStache Full-Length Blogs CurlyStache Full-Length Blogs Written By: Daniel Currie Published on: Saturday, October 28, 2023 Read Now 👉 Up Previous Next Up * While this article is designed with illegal drugs (for all ages) and alcohol for those under the legal age in mind, many aspects of this blog can pertain to issues regarding 18+ or 21+ age "drugs," such as smoking or vaping and prescription/OTC drugs. Notes Comments Let us know what you think, the floor is yours! ▲ Back to Top Home Start Here! Blogs More Shop Podcasts More Find us on Social! >>> You are Here: CurlyStache | Tweens & Teens Using Drugs & Alcohol: WHY is Vital Privacy Policy | Cookies Policy | Contact Us CurlyStache Blogs: A division of CurlyStache, www.curlystache.com . | Raising Teens Today: Guiding Teenagers with Essential Parenting Dos and Don'ts Copyright notice: All images on this page, including all pages within the https://www.curlystache.com domain, are fully licensed or created for the sole purpose of this website. For additional information, please contact us at admin@curlystache.com

TikTok Ban Debate: Guiding Teenagers Through the Digital Maze GT Mashup Blog: Episode 015 Written By : Daniel Currie Published On : 3 /21 /2024 In today's digital era, where swiping up is as instinctive as breathing, the discussion about the potential TikTok ban in the U.S. transcends mere headlines; it casts a significant shadow over millions of users, particularly our teenagers who are perceptual to whatever is said, even if misconstrued, who do not miss a beat. Relativity Rating: Adolescence and Older What's this? Prelude to the TikTok Ban Debate and Guiding Teenagers With the House's recent passage of a bill targeting a TikTok shutdown unless ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, divests its ownership, we find ourselves at a pivotal juncture. This situation challenges our digital policies and the social fabric of our teens' lives, highlighting the critical role of parents and TikTok in guiding teenagers through the next generation filled with social media's strain. TikTok: A Digital Canvas for Today's Youth TikTok is more than an app; it represents a limitless canvas of creativity. Whether it's perfecting a lip-sync battle or heart-breaking emotional stories, TikTok provides a vast spectrum of self-expression for its diverse user base. It serves as a digital stage where marginalized voices find a community, resonating deeply with users. For businesses, both small and large, TikTok acts as a vibrant marketplace, promoting everything from the latest fashion trends to cutting-edge gadgets, thereby spinning a revenue wheel that benefits creators and bolsters the economy. The Flip Side: A Closer Look at the Concerns However, the platform isn't without its challenges. The phenomenon of "TikTok Rot" spotlights the darker side of excessive use, where productivity and real-life connections suffer. Moreover, national security concerns loom large, spurred by fears that TikTok data could be compromised, a concern amplified by Chinese privacy laws. This situation invites us to really ponder the security of data in a globally interconnected landscape. The Long Road to a Ban: A Glimpse Ahead Transitioning from a bill to a law presents numerous obstacles. Despite the House's stance, the Senate, the president, and potentially the judiciary system still have roles to play. The possibility of intervention by high-profile buyers or the economic implications of a TikTok ban in the U.S. adds complexity to the future of TikTok. Nevertheless, the resilience of TikTok users and alternative access methods, such as VPNs, hint at the platform's enduring presence, albeit in an altered form. Guiding Teenagers Through the TikTok Ban Maze At the core of this debate is a crucial task for parents: to steer their teenagers through the murky discussions surrounding the TikTok ban. This journey isn't about imposing strict regulations; it's about embarking on a collaborative exploration of the digital landscape's highs and lows. With the looming threat of TikTok becoming banned in the U.S., initiating open, candid discussions about its repercussions is essential. This scenario offers a unique opportunity to balance online engagement with real-life interactions and to foster critical thinking about digital content consumption. Through thoughtful guidance and dialogue, we can empower our teenagers to not only navigate but also flourish in a world where digital platforms significantly influence their self-expression and social connections. Steering the Ship Together The discourse surrounding the TikTok ban transcends legal disputes, serving as a catalyst for mindful digital interaction. As TikTok parents, our role is to navigate these digital waters with our teenagers, fostering an environment ripe for open discussion, critical analysis, and conscientious use. When guiding teenagers through the intricacies of TikTok and the broader digital realm, we ensure they not only survive but also thrive, enriched by their experiences. Conclusion Ultimately, regardless of TikTok's fate, the insights we share and the conversations we engage in will profoundly influence our teenagers' perceptions and interactions with the digital world. Let's seize this opportunity to dive deep into the digital maze, not with apprehension but with the assurance that, together, we can confront and overcome the challenges and opportunities it unveils. Until Next Time... Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Help us spread the word! Share this article across all your favorite platforms now!

Raising Teens Today: Guiding Teenagers with Essential Parenting Dos and Don'ts Home Start Here! Blogs More Shop Podcasts More Find us on Social! >>> You are Here: CurlyStache | Tweens & Teens: The Temptation & Seduction of Weed Privacy Policy | Cookies Policy | Contact Us Tweens & Teens: The Temptation & Seduction of Weed Do you stress with anxiety about your tween or teen experimenting with Marijuana? Learn the truth in this blog! COME FOR ANSWERS. LEAVE WITH CONFIDENCE. CONQUER HOW TO HANDLE TEENS EXPERIMENTING WITH MARIJUANA Marijuana is typically the first "major" drug tweens¹ and teens² end up trying, and it can wreak havoc within a family. How dangerous is weed to them? How should parents handle a situation in which their tween or teen experiments with the drug for the first time? In this blog, we will break down everything you need to know, given a tricky situation like this. We will include reliable and essential dos and don'ts, ensuring you and your teen continue to build a strong relationship while guiding them down the right path. Written By Daniel Currie Published: November 6, 2023 Comment! Like the article or think it could help somebody else? Get the word out! Never miss a Blog Post! Enter your email address Subscribe Thanks for subscribing! Share it! Share your perspectives with others (Copy Again) Copy Link Share Blog https://www.curlystache.com/temptation-and-seduction-of-weed Follow us on Social! Daily memes to get you through the day Updates on blog releases Interactive, live events, polls, engaging Behind the scenes with CurlyStache Sign-up to be notified when new blogs drop today! Weed, Cannabis, Mary Jane, skunk, dope, grass, ganja—whatever you want to call it, Marijuana use has been on the rise for all ages, especially with perceptible tweens and teens. It is one drug that has never had a recession in usage and continues to gain popularity and traction as it becomes legal in many states. So if weed is becoming legal more and more and so many people use it, it can't be that bad, so it would be OK if teens smoke it, even if only on a rare occasion, right? If you want me to be truthful and honest, keep reading; if not, please disregard this post and search other websites. The truth is each website will give you the answer that best suits the site's needs, speaking truth and facts, but only the ones that back the funder, grant, or investor's stance. CurlyStache Blogs is a project where profits come second. Thus, we offer only facts sprinkled with views from adults with decades of wisdom, perspective, and knowledge. Back to the question, is it OK for tweens or teens to smoke marijuana, even when supervised and on rare occasions? As I'm sure you half expected, the answer is simply and utterly NO. Two facts without going down a rabbit hole of every possible reason why you shouldn't allow teens to use (arguably) the lowest "major" drug on the totem pole: As I'm sure you've heard at one point, it is considered a gateway drug. This means that, over time, the human body will begin to build a tolerance to it. When this happens, your tween or teen will search desperately for that new high to make them feel how they did when they first began the habit. At that point, one of two things will happen: 1) they begin smoking excessively more to meet the feeling, or 2) the more logical choice is to experiment with harder, more harmful drugs. These two reasons alone make weed dangerous: the addiction to the feeling and trying to feel more of it. THC (the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana) is suggested, but not proven, to have long-term issues in adults when used earlier in life with a developing brain, such as an increased risk of schizophrenia and cognitive impairments. It is a proven fact, though, that THC can stunt the maturation of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in the brain when used modestly or regularly. Dumbing it down (sort of) for the average human like myself, this is the part of the brain responsible for complex behaviors and decision-making. As THC is introduced to the prefrontal cortex while developing during their teen years, it will impede the ability to fully mature. Once they become a fully grown adult, the disruption from their younger years will alter how the PFC processes information permanently. End of story, right? Again, no. What happens if your tween or teen experiments with marijuana or is stuck in an awkward situation where peer pressure gets the best of them, and they take a hit? Game over, grounded for life, never to be let out of the house and hang with those friends again? I sure hope not. What about if your teen goes to a party every now and again, and at those parties, a joint gets passed around, and they take a puff and pass it? They are doing it more casually now; should we take action now, perhaps giving them a severe punishment? I still side with "not so fast." It all boils down to being a good parent who has instilled a good set of morals in their tween or teen; the younger you do it, the better. Do your tweens or teens know that drugs and marijuana are bad for you? I'm assuming they do. The next step, if they know this already, is to sit down with them at a young age, preferably around middle school (grade 6-8). Hence, at this age, they are old enough to clearly understand what you are talking about but not so old they've already experimented with it; it's up to you to figure out the optimal time. In most cases, when drugs become more readily available to your tween and talked up to be "cool" by some peers, not necessarily their friends. Talk with them and let them know your feelings about the situation. Let them know it is not acceptable to smoke weed (or any other drugs!) and go into detail that many times, what they are smoking isn't just weed. It could very well be laced without their knowledge, especially with the spike in fentanyl and other opioids nowadays. Furthermore, explain your reasons in vivid detail; if you feel comfortable, share past experiences or examples to help add credence to your stance. Show your real emotions, wear your heart on your sleeve, and express yourself and how worried you are for them as a parent and that you only want what's best even if they don't see it yet. If they do the eye-roll thing, feel free to elaborate further, stating that it doesn't even matter how you feel about the situation because it is illegal for them to do it at that age, regardless. Once your tween or teen understands your expectations and the dangers of drugs, set the ground rules with them. There are many ways to set the ground rules. The first method is simply telling them, "When the time comes, we will discuss it," and hope it never comes. The other option is to sit down with them right then and there and go over it. Explain, obviously, the goal is NOT to try marijuana, but IF they were to get caught up in a bad situation, that [this] would happen. Write it down on paper, save it on a Google document, text it to each other, whatever you choose. This way, when and if the time comes and your teen makes the poor choice to experiment and gets caught, you do not overreact and over-punish them. On the flip side, they cannot claim that the punishment doesn't fit the crime. Be sure, when going over the ground rules, that they have input on it as well; they will feel more respected and be more prone to respect your decision since they had a voice in it as well. Going back to the first ground rule option. Suppose that dreadful day happened and your tween or teen got caught smoking marijuana; what should you do now that the time has come? Against popular belief, the punishment should be 50%. What do I mean by this? Think of the punishment you would hand out to your teen for disobeying and smoking weed—I know it can be scary thinking about it. It makes you want to punish them to ensure they never want to repeat it, so it's probably a severe punishment. Whatever discipline you think of, it's most likely too harsh. Now, think of something half as tough as that punishment. That's what you want to shoot for. When you slice the consequence in half like that, you will want to explain to your tween or teen what you initially wanted to do for punishment but decided to [do half punishment] instead. I guarantee they will appreciate and respect it, knowing it could have been much worse. Furthermore, they will be likelier to learn from the mistake because they want to make you proud—and because you gave them a half-off pass. For example, say your teen, Johnny, wanted to spend the weekend at their friend's house because they were going to their lakehouse. A few days before the weekend getaway, they were hanging out after school, and he was spotted smoking a pipe by a reliable source. As infuriated and upset as you may be, instead of telling him he can't go with his friend for the weekend, which is your knee-jerk reaction, take a deep breath. Once calmed, sit Johnny down and respectfully talk with him, treating him like a man, not a child or a kid that you must scream at. Tell him his consequence, that he cannot go to the lakehouse for the whole weekend; instead, he can hang out for a few hours on whatever day works best, explaining that you initially wanted to forbid him from going at all. Crucially, once you have disciplined your tween or teen, and before ending the conversation, let them talk and explain themselves. When they are trying to talk, it's vital to listen without interruption. Granted, whatever they say will probably make no difference in how you feel about the situation or the punishment you give. It will, however, show you still respect them as a person and a young man/woman. Furthermore, it will show they can always come to you to talk or get advice regardless of age. Lastly, allowing them to voice their opinions and explain themselves freely and unimpeded will give you a sneak peek into their mindset on this touchy subject. Think of it as pulling back the veil of their emotions, passions, and desires, understanding what they were thinking and why. It may seem like I'm almost contradicting myself since I started this blog insisting that tweens and teens should not try or experiment with marijuana. Then I move into saying don't punish them so much if they do experiment with THC and marijuana. So which is it? As I said, this site will give you brutal honesty, advice, and insight based on research, decades of parenting, and cold, hard facts. The truth is your preteen(s) or teen(s) should not want to try marijuana; good old-fashioned parenting will cover that in conjunction with a heart-to-heart talk diving into details on the dangers of drugs and how you truly feel. Against popular opinion, the reason why we should not be as worried regarding (pure, unlaced) marijuana usage is because, like many foods, drugs, alcohol, medicines, vitamins, and chemicals, to harm the body and mind, it takes more than just one or two times. Bear in mind that this article was written for those who need a handle on how to deal with teenagers experimenting with pure marijuana. Furthermore, you must remember that if your tween or teen has tried marijuana, the damage is already done; they have felt the effects of THC. At this point, it will do more good to empathize, understand, relate, and talk to them calmly and collectively rather than yelling and screaming. Lastly, at the very most, a unique way of looking at a bad situation: it will teach them the effects of THC at an early age. This will allow them to be better equipped to handle the effects when they are on their own in a world that is becoming more and more pro-marijuana and legalizing it at a record pace. On the contrary, suppose your tween or teen is doing more than just experimenting and has a real issue or dependency on THC or marijuana. It has begun affecting their daily lives, attitudes, and behaviors. In that case, they, unfortunately, are already hooked on the drug, and to properly handle a situation such as that, they are going to have to want to quit. In addition, they will also need a robust support system in place; we will cover this in detail in future blog articles. The bottom line is that there is no reason to go overboard if it happens once or twice. The fact of the matter is that there has not been enough research done on the drug and teens despite an unsettling explosion of marijuana usage in teens, exceeding a 250% increase in use in the last 20 years. Nevertheless, that does not justify that pure marijuana is suitable for tweens and teens. In addition, I'd like to point out that children are EXCLUDED from this post; there have been proven adverse outcomes with marijuana and children. We should obviously never encourage marijuana or drugs to our family; however, when keeping an open mind, staying grounded to facts, and using some common sense, the stress factor of your tween or teen trying weed for the first or second time shouldn't be overwhelming. If they are raised with a good set of morals, ethics, and respect, and you have sat down and talked with them, there should be little to worry about. Trust your teen. You might be surprised. Should they get curious, or peer pressure gets the best of them, and they take a hit to see what the buzz is all about (pardon the pun), it's normal at that age. Humans are all curious beings, especially teens, while still testing the waters. Either way, if you do find out they tried marijuana, your stress levels should only be as high as if they skipped study hall in school, not much more; do not stress thinking, "What if they take advantage of me and continue despite consequences and sitdown talks?"—cross that bridge when the time comes. Now is NOT the time. I will be sure to follow up within a few blogs from now on the best ways and steps to deal with your tween or teen who is struggling with marijuana addiction and dependency. As for now, this blog is merely a guide for parents, guardians, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and anybody else who cares for and has/interacts with teens and how to confront marijuana head-on. I hope this article helped or at least put some new perspective on an age-old topic. I'm leaving this post open for comments to let me know your opinion on the topic; there is no wrong answer—the only rule is respect. ¹ Tweens: In this article, tweens are defined as 10-12 years old; typically, tween age is considered to be 8-12 years. ² Teens: In this article, teens are defined as 12-19 years old, the standard age. Notes Comments Let us know what you think, the floor is yours! Read More Previous Blog Popular Mashup Staying vigilant in cyberspace is essential. Unchecked could mean a ruined life with emotions and a state of mind uprooted and put in a tailspin. 3 Priceless Tools to Prevent Costly Lifechanging Mistakes Written By: Daniel Currie Published on: October 16, 2023 🫶 Read Now 👉 In this Mashup article, episode 004, I question if there is truly a guaranteed way to teach so teens will do as they are told and honor what is asked. You be the judge. Inculcate: Guaranteed to Teach Teens Written By: Daniel Currie Published on: October 26, 2023 🤏 Read Now 👉 Additional Blogs Find all the CurlyStache blogs where Raising Teens Today is at its core right here! Guiding Teenagers with Essential Parenting Dos and Don'ts is the theme! 👊 Browse Now 👉 Additional Mashups Short 3-minute Blogs where there is no criteria or format. The Mashup slogan says it all: Short Raising Teens Blog Entries. Opinionated. Grounded in Facts. 👌Browse Now 👉 ▲ Back to Top Home Start Here! 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Teen Anger Management: 5 Strategies to Improve Emotional Control Enjoy the conclusion of our GT Exclusive 4-part series on Teen Anger! Written By : Daniel Currie Published On : 3/4/2024 This installment, "Empowering Teens: 5 Anger Management Strategies for Emotional Well-being," aims to enhance teens' emotional toolkit and strengthen family bonds through mutual respect and understanding. By weaving together insights from our exploration of the causes of teen anger, the impact of empathy, and the importance of connection, we present five essential strategies designed to foster a supportive environment conducive to growth and harmony. Missed the first 3 articles? No problem, catch up! Part I: Understanding Teen Anger: Roots, Mental Health, and Seeking Help Discover the root of teen anger, discern its ties to mental health, and learn when professional help is crucial. Empower your journey to understanding and action. Part II: Empowering Teens to Manage Anger: Strategies and Tools Dive deeper into practical strategies and tools that empower teens to manage their anger, fostering emotional resilience and self-awareness for a balanced life. Part III: Six Techniques to Calm Your Angry Teen Effectively Discover six essential techniques to de-escalate teen anger, complete with expert advice, real-life applications, and unique homework to strengthen your bond. Table of Contents ►Prologue to Teen Anger Management ►Elevate Positive Reinforcement ►Engage in Role-Playing Exercises ►Harness Mindfulness and Technology ►Embrace Nature's Therapeutic Power ►Deep Dive into Art and Music Therapy ►Conclusion Blog Focus: Read Time: Behavior & Mental Health 7 minutes Relativity Rating: Adolecence What's this? Prologue to Teen Anger Management Are you ready to transform teen anger into a pathway for growth and understanding? Join us as we explore five strategies that promise more than just calmness—they build resilience and deepen connections. It's true, navigating the tumultuous waters of teen anger can be a daunting challenge for both parents and teens alike. In our ongoing series, we've explored the facets of teen anger. We've delved into its roots and unmasked the complexities behind its expression. Additionally, we've shared insights on effective communication and de-escalation techniques. Building on the foundation laid by our previous discussions, we now turn our attention to practical, everyday strategies that can empower teens to manage their anger more effectively. #1 Elevate Positive Reinforcement Positive reinforcement plays a critical role in teen anger management, encouraging teens to recognize and replicate behaviors that lead to successful emotional control. By acknowledging moments when teens handle difficult situations with composure, parents and guardians can reinforce the positive impact of managing anger effectively. This approach boosts the teen's self-esteem and solidifies the habits, contributing to better emotional regulation. Real-Life Example : Jamie's journey with teen anger management took a positive turn when her parents started to commend her for moments of patience during potential conflicts. This acknowledgment unexpectedly motivated Jamie to continue using anger management techniques, giving her hope and a sense of pride in her behavior. Importance of Strategy: "Acknowledging positive behavior is a cornerstone of effective teen anger management," says Dr. John Gottman, a leading relationship expert. This strategy emphasizes the role of positive feedback in reinforcing desirable behavior changes. Try at Home: Implement a "Success Jar" reward system that recognizes efforts and successes in anger management with the jar's effectiveness in the visual and interactive progress as it gets filled with positivity. Involve your teen by offering options and letting them choose the reward. Every time your teen overcomes an emotional challenge, jot it down and place it in the jar. Weekly, let them read the notes, reinforcing their positive choices. Every three notes equate to a reward, fostering motivation! #2 Engage in Role-Playing Exercises Role-playing exercises are invaluable in teen anger management, offering a safe and constructive environment for teens to practice emotional responses and improve their conflict resolution skills. Through these exercises, teens can explore alternative ways to express their anger, understand the consequences of their actions, and develop empathy by seeing situations from other perspectives. This method can effectively be carried out at home with your teenager. For teens hesitant to share directly, phone reflection offers a private alternative that complements role-playing exercises. Begin by recording oneself solo on a phone, describing the specific situation, and then re-experiencing it while recording. Review the recording hours or a day later for an honest evaluation to learn from your own observations. Real-Life Example : Alex improved his anger management significantly after learning about phone reflection. He made one recording every other day and rewatched the last recording on the off days to better understand his triggers and maintain self-control. On weekends, he would role-play the most challenging scenarios with his parents, seeking their advice. Importance of Strategy: "Role-playing is a powerful tool in teen anger management, as it prepares teens for real-life emotional challenges," notes psychologist Dr. Susan Heitler. Practicing different scenarios enhances teens' ability to manage anger in various situations. Try at Home: Teach your teen the benefits of phone reflection. Make it engaging with apps like Snapchat , using filters for a fun twist. Then, set aside time each week to role-play; this will help reveal different perspectives and practice managing responses in a supportive setting. #3 Harness Mindfulness and Technology Incorporating mindfulness into daily routines is a game-changer in teen anger management. By leveraging apps and digital platforms, mindfulness becomes a relatable and engaging tool for teens. These applications offer guided sessions on meditation and breathing exercises specifically designed to help teens understand and regulate their emotions, providing them with a solid foundation for managing anger in a healthy and constructive way. Real-Life Example : Ethan found traditional meditation unappealing until he discovered Calm , a mindfulness app aimed at teens. This app became crucial to Ethan's daily routine, significantly aiding his anger management efforts. The app's engaging nature helped Ethan apply mindfulness techniques to real-life situations, enabling him to approach potential conflicts with calmness and clarity. Importance of Strategy: "Mindfulness teaches us the art of emotional regulation through awareness," notes Sharon Salzberg, renowned mindfulness expert. Integrating mindfulness with technology makes it a powerful ally in teen anger management, offering practical tools for teens to navigate their emotions effectively. Try at Home: Together, find a mindfulness app that focuses on anger management. Commit to engaging with it daily, practicing mindfulness techniques designed to soothe anger. Share and discuss your experiences and progress at the end of each week, fostering a supportive environment for emotional growth. Visit your app store now to view the hundreds to choose from! #4 Embrace Nature's Therapeutic Power The therapeutic effects of nature can be particularly beneficial in teen anger management. Engaging with the natural world provides a unique and effective outlet for stress and anger, helping teens find a sense of calm and perspective. Activities from hiking and gardening to relaxing in green spaces significantly reduce anger, fostering emotional well-being and resilience. Real-Life Example : The Anderson family found that their "Nature Saturday Mornings" brought them closer together and played a crucial role in managing their teen's anger. The peaceful environment and physical activity helped dissipate tension and fostered a more harmonious family dynamic, illustrating nature's role in emotional regulation and anger management. Importance of Strategy: "Connecting with nature is essential for mental health, particularly in managing teen anger," asserts Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods. This connection to the natural world offers a powerful counterbalance to the stressors that contribute to teen anger. Try at Home: Plan a weekly outdoor activity outside. Use this time to practice mindfulness and discuss any feelings of anger in a tranquil setting, leveraging nature's calming influence to enhance anger management. Whether a simple walk or a visit to a park, let nature's calming influence work its magic. What's nearby? Start exploring! #5 Deep Dive into Art and Music Therapy Art and music therapy offer creative avenues for expressing and understanding emotions, making them effective tools in teen anger management. Through artistic expression, teens can explore their feelings of anger, find constructive outlets for their emotions, and gain insights into their triggers and coping mechanisms. These therapeutic practices provide a non-verbal means of communication, allowing teens to convey their experiences in a supportive environment. Moreover, the creative power of art and music uniquely expresses feelings beyond words, offering teens a powerful outlet for their emotions. Real-Life Example : Maya's engagement with painting provided her with a profound way to express and manage her feelings of anger. Sharing her artwork with her family not only facilitated deeper emotional connections but also highlighted the effectiveness of creative expression in teen anger management. Importance of Strategy: "Art and music therapy are key components of an effective teen anger management strategy, offering expressive outlets for complex emotions," emphasizes Dr. Cathy Malchiodi, a leading expert in art therapy. These creative practices enable teens to process and express their feelings in a healthy and constructive manner. Try at Home: Get creative in the arts and inspire your teen to do the same. From crafting groovy club beats on a Raspberry Pi to painting with watercolors, support and celebrate their artistic endeavors. Display their work, share it with others, and embrace its potential to inspire both your teen and those around them. Moreover, make a point to immerse yourselves in the arts at least once a month. Explore art exhibitions, festivals, and concerts—whether they're local gigs or professional performances. Inspiration is everywhere—grab a pen and start doodling together! Conclusion As we conclude our series on teen anger, it's clear that managing this potent emotion is a journey that extends beyond simple solutions. From our initial exploration of the roots of teen anger to our latest guide on practical management strategies, we've traversed a landscape rich with challenges and opportunities for growth. These strategies are not just methods for controlling anger; they are stepping stones towards building resilience, enhancing emotional control, and fostering lasting well-being. As families embark on this path together, the lessons learned and the strategies implemented will pave the way for a future where teen anger management is not a barrier but a bridge to deeper understanding and connection. Let's carry forward the insights and tools we've gathered, remembering that the journey of managing teen anger is one of mutual respect, support, and, most importantly, love. I would be thrilled to hear about your experiences or outcomes after trying these crucial strategies! Did you enjoy the homework assignments? Which strategy resonated most with you and why? Please share your story with us below- I can't wait to hear your response! Enjoy it? Spread the word and share it with the masses! 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